Transmitting apparatus.



H. SHOEMAKBR. TRANSMITTING APPARATUS. Arrnrcnlon Hum .num 17. 1905.

1,005,338. Patented out. 1o. i911.

, A TTHIIEY.

i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. f`

HARRY SHOEMAKEE, OF I'EBSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOB. T0 INTERNATIONAL TELEGBAPH CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, A. CORPORATION OF.NEW YORK.

TRANBMITTING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application illed June 17, 1905.

Patented 0015. 10, 1911. serial No. 265,755.

To all whom it ma/y concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY SHoEMAxEn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Jersey C't in the county of Hudson and State of Niew Jersey, have invented a new and useful Transmitting Apparatus, of which the followin is a specification.

My invention re ates to transmitting apparatus, more especially as .employed in a wireless signaling system wherein electroradiant energy represents the signal or message durin its transmission through the natural m ia.

It is the object of my invention to provide powerful transmitting apparatus to the end that communication may be established over very great distances. For this purpose a condenser or battery of eondensers 1s emloyed, the condenser or condensers being ischarged through a circuit or winding either inductively or conductively associated with a radiating circuit, conductor, or conductors, without the intervention of the usual spark gap f' heretofore employed in wireless si aling systems.

It is a eatureof my invention that the high frequency oscillations are produced in a conductor or circuit having no spark gap.

It is a further object of my invention to provide transmitting apparatus which# is substantially noiseless asA compared with transmitting apparatus heretofore employed. As is well understood in this art, the transmitters heretofore known for high frequency oscillations have employed spark gaps. The sparking at such spark gaps is always accompanled with more or less'noise, and in high power or long distance transmitters such noise amounts to crashes, necessitating the spark gap being isolated4 in separate Abuildln in 'some cases. The s arkmg is particu arly objectionable in .con ned operating rooms, especially.- 0 shipboard. By

" my mvenn herein disc osed such noises in the bearing 3 and a similar hollow shaft 6 rotates in the bearing 4. The hollow shaft 5 is screwthreaded into the head 7 of a commutating' cylinder 8 of insulating material. Similarly the hollow shaft 6 is screwthreaded into the head 9, the insulating c linderv 8 being secured upon the heads 7 an 9. A

pulley 10 is keyed to the hollow shaft 5 and 'of the cylinder 8 and upon these bear the brushes 13 and 14 respectively. The brush 13 is in electrical communication with the buse of the aerial radiating conductor A and one terminal of the inductance or length of conductor L. The brush 14 is in electrical communicatie through the rider 15,with any portion of the inductance or conductor L and the rider 16, also adjustable to anyr point on theconductcr or inductance L, comluunicates electrically with the earth at E. A plurality of bridgln g segments b are also secured upon the peri heiyof the cylinder 8 and are comparative y short circumferentially and suiiiciently long axially to brid e the pairs of brushes 17 formin termina s of4 neighboring condenser-s K. T e bridging segment b at one end of the cylinder is in electrical communication with the slip ring 11 while the bridging segment b is in electrical communication with the slip ring 12. Alternate segments or contacts c are connected to the conductor 18 within the cylinder 8 while the other segments or contacts o connect with the conductor 19, also within the cylinder 8. The conductor 18 extends through the insulating bushing 20 within theliollow shaft 5, and lterminates in the contact button 21 upon which bears the brush 22 connected through the operators key 23 with one terminal of thesource of either direct or alternating current G. The conductor 19 extends through the insulating bushing 24 and terminates in the contact button 25iipon which bears the brush 26 which is in electrical communication with the other terminal of the source G. A 'lhe source G may `deliver current et a potential of one thousand volts, for example, and in place of the number of condensers shown, a great many more may be employed as, i'or example, twenty-live or thirty.

With the parts in the position shown in Fig. 1. hy pressing the key 23, the condensers K will be charged in parallel. As the cylinder H continues to rotate, the condensers will first be isolated from the source G and thereafter the. bridging segments b will bridge neighboringV terminals of neighboring condensers and thereby throw all the condensers into series with each other, and they will then discharge through the slip rings 11 and 12 and the associated brushes 13 and 14 through the inductance or length of conductor L. L and the condensers form tln .i a closed oscillating circuit in which are developed electrical oscillations of a frequency depending upon thc indnctance, capacity, and resistance of such closed cir-- cuit. "The connections from the condenser terminals to the brushes 17, and other parts of such closed circuit comprise, the entire inductance of such circuit and, if desired, inductanecs may be inserted between the condenser armatures and the brushes 17.

Large quantities oi energy may be stored in the' coudensers K during thc charging period, which is `greater than the discharging period. This energy is then instantly discharged through the circuit atonementioned with resultant. production of high frequency oscillations which in turn result'. in `radiation from the conductor A of'llerzia'n wares or other electroradiant energy.

The cylinder S may rotate at any desired speed but it is preferred that it shall rotate at. 'the rate of several complete revolutions during the duration of the shortest code character employed in the transmission of messages. That. is to say, 'while the key 23 is held depressed for an interval of time representing a dot, the cylinder S should preferably make several complete revolutions with the result that several trains of energy waves arc radiated.

To thoroughly insulate the conductors 18 and 19 from each other and to support them mechanically, the inside of the cylinder 8 may be filled with molten wax or rosin or any other suitable material which when cooled will solidify. This material may be poured in in the molten state through the hole 27 in the head 9.

Since cach condenser is charged potentially to only one or two thousand volts, sparking will be practically nothing upon the apln'oach of the bridging contacts b and the brushes 17 in the act of connecting the condensers in series with each other. The potential of a few thousand volts is capable of causing a spark to leap'an extremely short distance only, more especially ,if the contacts are submerged in loil orother insulating medium as is preferable with the appa- 'ratus herein described. The commutatln mechanism as a whole may be submerge or surrounded by an insulating medium or simply to the depth of the contact surfaces 'of the brushes 17 or slightly more.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a signaling system employing electroradiant energy, transmitting apparatus comprising a plurality ofcondensers, means forcharging said condensers in parallel, means for discharging said condensers in series through a circuit having no spark` gap, and radiating means associated with said circuit.

2. ln a signalingsystem employing electro-radiant energy, transmitting apparatus comprising a plurality of condensers, a source oF energy, an oscillation circuit havingr no spark gap and having a natural period equal to that of the transmitted energy, and a commutator for bringing said condensers into communication with said source of energy and subsequently with said oscillation circuit.

3. ln a signaling system employing electro-radiant energy, transmitting apparatus comprisinga plurality of condensers, a

source ot energy. an oscillation circuit having no spark gap and having a period equal to the period of the transmitted energy, and a commutator for bringing said condensers alternately into communication with said source of energy and said oscillation circuit.

4. ln a signaling system employing electro-radiant energy, transmitting apparatus comprising a condenser, a soureeof energy, an oscillation circuit having no spark gap and having a period equal to the period of the transmitted energy, and a commutator for bringing said condenser into communication with said source of energy and subsequently with said oscillation circuit.

5. In a signaling system employing electro-radiant energy, transmitting apparatus comprising a plurality of condensers, a source oit' energy, an oscillation circuit having no spark gap, radiating means'associated with said oscillation circuit, a commutating mechanism Jfor bringing said condenser-s alternately into communication with said source of energy and said oscillation circuit charging contacts and bridging contacts thereip, said charging contacts being longer than said bridging contacts whereby the duration of communication with said source of energy is relatively longer than the duration of communication with said oscillation circuit.

6. In a signaling system employing electro-.radiant energy, transmittinar apparatus comprising a plurality o conlation circuit having no spark gap and having a (period equal to the period of the transnutte energy, a commutating mechanism for bringing said condenser alternately into communication with said source of energy and said oscillation circuit, and an operators key for controlling said source of ener y.

g. In a signaling system employing electro-radiant energy, transmittin ap- )aratus comprising a plurality o conensers, a source of energy, an oscillation circuit having no spark gap, radiating means associated with said osci lation circuit, a commutating mechanism for subjecting said condensers in parallelrto said source of energy and for subsequently connecting'said condensers in series with each other 1n said oscillation circuit, and an operators key for controlling said source of energy 8. n a signaling system employlng transmitting apparatus comprisin a condenser, a source of energy, a `ra iator having no spark ap, a commutator for alternately bringlng said condenser into commun'ication with said source of energy and with said radiator, and an operators key in the circuit of said source of energy, said commutator performing its cycle of operations a plurality of times during the duration of the shortest eode character.

9. In a signaling system 'employing electro-radiant energy, transmitting apparatus comprising a plurality of cond ensers, a source of cnergy,a radiator having no spark gap,a commutator for alternately subjecting said condensers in arallel to said source of energ sal radiator, and an operators key in. the

circuit of said source of energy, said commutator performing its cycle of operations a plurality of times during the duration of the shortest code character.

10. In a signaling system employing electro-radiant ener transmitting apparatuscomprising a con enser, a source of energy, a radiator having no spark p,andaeommu tator lfor bringing said con enser alternately into communicatian'with said source of ener and 'said radiator, the duration of communication'with saidsource of energy being relatively lon than the duration of comlnunicatlon with `,Said radiator.

11. In a signaling system employing electro-radiant energy, transmitting apparatus comprising a plurality of condenser-s` n source of energy, a radiator having no spark gap, and a commutatorV for alternately subjecting said condenser-s in parallel to said source of energyv and dischargin them in series into sait radiator, charging contacts and bridging contacts thereon, said charging contacts being longer than said bridging contacts whereby the duration of commun1- and disc arging them in series into4 cationwith said source of energy is relatively longer than the duration of communication with said radiator.

1'2. In a signaling System. nl nploying electro'radiant energy, transmitting apparatus comprising a plurality of condcnsers, a source ot enel-gym radiator having no spark gap, a coummtator for alternately subjecting said coudcnsers in parallel to said source of en' orgy and discharging them in series to said radiator, and an operators key controlling said source of encrg said coinmutator performing its cycle o operations a plurality of times during the duration of the shortest code character, charging and bridging contacts on said commutator, said charging contacts being longer than said brid ing contacts whereby the communication o the condensers with said source of energy is relatively longer than their communication with said radiator.

13. ln a wireless telegraph transmitter, a cylinder, alincd shafts insulated from each other upon which said cylinder rotates, contacts upon said cylinder, contacts carried by said shafts, conductors carried by said cylindex' communicating with said cylinder contacts and with said shaft contacts, a source of ener y, and leads therefrom communicating wit 1 said shaft contacts.

14. In a signaling system employing electro-radiant energ transmitting a paratus com rising a cy Inder, hollow sha ts inslulate from each other upon which snide linder rotates,"dontacts carried by said sha` s, charging contacts upon said c linder, conductors passing through said shafts for establishin electrical communication with said sha t contacts and charging contacts, a source of energy and means for establishing communication between said source of en ergy and said shaft contacts.

15. In a signaling system employing electro-radiant energy, transmitting apparatus comprising a plurality of condenscrs. an oscillation producer having no spark ga p a'ssociated therewith, a rotatable commutator cylinder, a pluralityof charging contacts car- 4ried thereby for communicating with said condensers, a source of energy, means for maintaining communication between said source of energy and said char ing contacts, and bridging contacts carried y said cylinder,I said char ing contacts 'having greater circumferential extent than "said bridging contacts.

16. In asignaling system employing elec` tro-radiant' energy, transmittingA apparatus comprising a .plurality of eondensers, en nsciilation producer having no spark gapltlmciated therewith, a source of energy, a rota-V table commutator c linder, charging. contacts carried there bridging contacts, means for continuous y main ining electrical communication between said source ot energy and said charging contacts, and brus es communicating with the terminals of said condcnsci's and adapted to be a'ltcrnately engaged by said charging and bridg- 5 ing contacts.

17.A In a signaling system employing electro-radiant energy, transmitting apparatus comprising a con( ensei', a substantially noninductive circuit for chargin sait condenser, and means for discharging said condenser thi'ou rh a conductivel y continuous inductive con uctor of substantially constant resistance, whereby highl frequency oscillations are produce l 18. In a signaling system employing electro-radiant energv, transmitting apparatus comprising a com ensei', a substantial y non inductive circuit for charging said cori denser, an oscillator having no spark gap, and a switch for discharging said condenser into said oscillator.

19. ln transmitting apparatus, a radiator, aiearth connection therefor, a plurality of condenscrs, means for charging said condenscrs in parallel, and means for discharging said condcnsers in series without the in tel'vention ot' a spark gap.

20. In transmitting apparatus, a radiator, and un associated oscillating circuit, having no spark gap,- condensers contained in said oscillatingr circuit, means for chargingr said condcnscrs in parallel to relatively low potential, and a4 switcli'for discharging the` `samc in series through said oscillating cir` Ihuil. y u 2l. In transmitting apparatus, a radiator, a4 closed oscillating circuit having no spark gap associated with said radiator in con dui-tive relation, a plurality ot' condi-.users in said oscillating circuit, and meansl for charging .-aid condensers in parallel to relatively low potential and for discharging the sinneA in series.

22. In a signaling system einployingrelectro-alliant energy, transmitting apparatus having no spark gap and comprising a plurality of conilcnscrs,ineans for` charging said condenscrs in parallel to relatively low pot-ential; and for discharging said condensers in series. y

23. ln a. signaling system employing elec.- tro-radiant energy,V transmitting apparatus cc-mprising a plurality of condensers, means for charging said condensers in parallel, an inductive circuit of substantially constant resistance, and means for connecting said condensers in series with each other in said circuit.. l

tbl. in a signaling system employing elec 60 tro-radiant energy, transmitting apparatus comprising a condenser, a rotating shaft, and means operated by said shaftl for placing said condenser in communication `with a charging source and forvsubscquently inti cluding' said condenser in an inductive circuit without a spark gap, whereby high fre qucncy oscillations are produced 2f. ln a signaling system, transmitting a )paratus comprising a high frequency oscillation circuit including iiiductancc ainl capacity, a source ot energy ot' substantially .steady electro-motive force for charging said capacity, connnutating mechanism comprising a plurality of relatively fixed and mov able contacts for opening and closing a series ot gaps in said oscillationcircuit', said oscillation circuit when closed by said coininutating 'mechanism having nospark gap, and a signaling instrument t'or controlling the communication between said charging source and said capacity.

2G. In a signaling system, transmitting apparatus comprising a high frequency oscillation circuit including indnctance and capacity, a coininutator serially connected in said oscillation circuit comprising a plu-4 rality of sets of relatively movable contacts, said contacts when separated introducing a plurality of gaps in said iscillation circuit and when in engagement closing said oscillation circuit without a spark gap, a source of energy for causing `said capacity to absorh a charge when said contacts are. separated. and a signaling instrument controlling the charging-oli said capacity.

27. ln a signaling system, transmit-ting apparatus comprising a high frequency oscil ation circuit including iiuluctance and capacity, ay power driven eonnnutator sei'ially connected in said oscillation circuit and comprising a plurality ol sets of relatively rotating contacts, said contacts when in engagement. closing said oscillation circuit without a spark gap and when separated introducing into said circuit a plurality'of gaps in series with each other, and means for causing said capacity to absorb a charge when said oscillation circuit is open.

2H. ln a signaling system, transmitting apparatus comprising a high frequency oscillation circuit having no spark gap including inductance and a plurality of coiidenscrs` a source of current having a voltage lower than the voltage required for disruptive sparking for charging said eondenscrs, and cominutatiiig.mechanism for causing said cinulenscis to be charged in parallel and for including said condensers i n series in and for closing said oscillation circuit.

29.111 a signaling system, transinitt-ing apparatus comprising a. high frequency oscillutioi'i circuit having4 litt npitllt gall liicluding inductance and a plurality of condeiisers, a son ce of direct current. having a voltage lower than the voltage required for disruptive sparking for charging said iamdensers, and connnueating mechanism for causing said condensate to he charged in parallel and `for including said condensers 1n series in and for closing said oscillation circuit.

30. In transmitting apparatus, inductance and a relatively great capacity, a source of low potential eneroy, and means for periodically charging sait. capacity to low potential 'and closingr a circuit having no spark 'gap including said indutam-e and capacity.

31. In transmitting apparatus, an inductance and a relatively great capacity, means for periodically opening and closing a circuit having no spark ga-p including said inductance and capacity, and means operativewhen said circuit is opcn for .charging said 'capacity to relatively low potential.

32. 1n transmitting apparatus, a high frequency oscillation circuit including inductance and capacity, a series of gaps serially connected in said oscillation circuit, a comlnntator for sulmtantially simultaneously closing all said gaps, whcrcby said oscillation circuit has no spark gap, and means for subjecting said capacity to a charging source when said gaps are open.

ln testimony whereof I liave hereunto alixed my signature in the presence of the two subscribing witnesses.

HARRY SHOEMAKER.

\\'itnesses M. F. CARROLL, M. M ACnEsoN. 

